Bristol Uni involved in 5G – high-speed internet for future

The next generation of mobile wireless systems, known as “5G”, will ensure that the internet is always accessible and if a new European project, 5G-XHaul, achieves its ambitious goals then so-called “notspots” with no coverage will be a thing of the past.

The aim of the 5G-XHaul project is to find effective solutions to the rapidly growing demand for broadband and Bristol University is one of the project partners. The consortium includes industrial companies, research institutes and universities from four European countries. The actual partners are: Huawei, Telefonica I+D, i2CAT, Blu Wireless Technology, ADVA Optical Networking, COSMOTE, Airrays, TES Electronic Solutions, University of Bristol, TU Dresden, University of Thessaly and IHP.

New powerful, cost-effective networks are required to connect the base stations with the core telecommunications network. The network connection must be dynamically adapted to local and time-related needs, especially at transport hubs, such as railway stations and airports, or during major events.

Professor Andrew Nix, Dean of Bristol’s Faculty of Engineering and leader the Communication Systems & Networks (CSN) Group at Bristol, said: “This three-year project will provide a unique platform for collaborative research and validation of new optical and wireless architectures and methodologies for the ultra-fast and seamless delivery of 5G and beyond connectivity.”

Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, Head of the Bristol’s High Performance Networks (HPN) group and who is leading the Bristol part of the project, commented: “5G-XHaul is one of several projects facilitating novel experimentation and new methods of conducting advanced research on the Bristol Is Open (BIO) test bed. The project will drive forward enabling technologies for 5G connectivity and beyond.”

At the end of the project, a large field trial in Bristol will demonstrate its results.

The 5G-XHaul project is part of the 5G-PPP, a joint initiative by the European information and communications sector and the European Commission, which will examine current infrastructure and its limitations and specify requirements for next generation of communication networks and services. Technical solutions will be investigated and tested based on those requirements, .

The ‎€7.3 mn. project, funded by the EU’s “Horizon 20202 programme, will run for 3 years until June 2018. ‎